Letter regarding Coronavirus

Pumpkin Patch Childcare & Early Education Center

March 13, 2020

Dear Families,

As a valued member of our Pumpkin Patch Family, we appreciate your loyalty and the trust you place in us to care for your precious children. Recognizing the ongoing and increased uncertainty that coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing around the world, our highest priority is the health and well being of our children, their families, and our employees. At this time we do not plan to close unless we are told otherwise by the government and can continue to meet our state regulations with proper staffing. With that in mind, we want to update you on the actions we have taken in response to the outbreak.

Our best plan of action is to do everything we can to prevent the virus from entering our small center. We have enhanced our daily cleaning procedures of disinfecting any hard surfaces, door knobs, toys, sleeping and play equipment.

We have increased our instruction of proper hand washing with the children, and reminding them to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough and wiping runny noses as often as necessary.

Under the advisement of our nurse consultants, we are going to a front door drop off and pick up. We will have staff members available to take your children from you at the front door. We will be collecting their belongings and asking the following questions: 1) When they had their last diaper change?, 2) When they last ate?, & 3) Is there anything their teacher should know? At pick up once again we will bring your child to the door, have you sign any necessary reports, and relay any messages. This will start, Monday, 3/16/2020, please allot yourself some extra time in the morning and be patient with us as we transition to this procedure. If you will be sending an alternate pick up person, you must confirm with the office no later than 2pm that they are on your pick up list and let them know identification will be required. Please call (860) 669-0579 or email ppatchwestbrook@gmail.com.

If your child is going to be absent from the center, please call or email with reason for absence. If your child is exhibiting any symptoms of the virus (fever, cough, or shortness of breath), please keep your child home. We are asking parents to please follow our Health Policy. Please be sure we have any updated contact information for you and that you have an alternate pick up person to be available to be here within and hour of a phone call to pick up your child.

Health

The health of your child is of great importance to Pumpkin Patch. If a child has diarrhea, rash, fever (100.4 °F), vomiting, or any other communicable disease symptoms, we require that the child be kept home. If a child exhibits these symptoms at the center, the parent will be notified and expected to take the child home immediately. The child must be symptom and fever free, plus free of any fever/pain reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to the center. For more serious illnesses, Pumpkin Patch will follow the advice of its pediatrician and nurse consultant as to how long a child must stay home. Children on antibiotics must have taken them for 24 hours before returning to the center.

For our parents of school age children, with schools closing, please let us know as soon as possible if you will need care for your children. Let us know days and times your children will be in attendance so we can make sure we can meet our state ratios. Space will fill up quickly so please don’t wait.

Please inform the office if you need to make any changes to your children’s schedules as soon as possible due to changes in your work schedule.

Lastly, we are asking that if any parents are exposed to the virus at work or while traveling, they notify us IMMEDIATELY so we can take appropriate measures and advise our other families and staff.

We are confident that if the staff and families all work together, we can help prevent the spread of this virus. Pumpkin Patch thanks you for being so understanding during this time of uncertainty.

Thank you,

Teresa & Staff

Pumpkin Patch

Childcare & Early Education Center

Pumpkin Patch Childcare & Early Education Center is a family-owned business that has been serving families in Connecticut for over 35 years. We provide children with a loving, nurturing, and safe environment to learn, play, and grow. Our qualified and highly dedicated teachers offer before and after school care to children aged 6 weeks to 12 years in a stimulating atmosphere. Our center is state licensed and conveniently located in Westbrook, CT, servicing the Westbrook and Clinton school systems. We offer full-time, part-time, and occasional care to accommodate your busy schedule!

Why Choose Pumpkin Patch?

Premium Preschool at an Affordable Price

Full-time, Part-time, and Occasional Care

State Licensed Since 1986

Hours: 6:30am – 6:00pm

Servicing the Clinton and Westbrook School Systems

Curriculum Praised by Elementary Teachers

Programs for Children Aged 6 Weeks to 12 Years

Before and After School Programs

Summer Camp

Highly Dedicated and Qualified Teachers

First Aid, CPR Certification, Medication Administration Certification

Coded Entrance and Cameras Indoors and Outdoors

News & Announcements

Pumpkin Patch is now accepting enrollment for all programs!We offer before and after school care for ages five to twelve.Call today to schedule your tour!